bmi A319s to USA?

[Brown Starfish]

I've had illuminating chats with Midland contact lately and heard a rumour that bmi has signed up for some A319s that they plan to use on routes to the US. Don't see how this can be economical or practical. Can anyone confirm/deny?

[BEagle]

Privatair have already begun LH flights from Dusseldorf to Newark and Chicago using long-range A319LRs with 48 seats at 60" pitch for business-class only flights. So no reason why midbritlandishinternational or whatever British Midland now calls itself shouldn't do so as well!

Dusseldorf to Chicago leaves at around mid-day, takes 10 hours and arrives mid-afternoon. Hardly Concorde speed or style though - but no doubt very comfy!

[LGW Vulture]

Cannot deny or confirm anything but, maybe the A319CJ? Trying to pick up those ex-Concorde pax perhaps?

[MAN777]

Perhaps its to do with the ongoing frustration of not being allowed LHR - USA with the A330s, but surely regardless of what type used, bi-laterals would still have to be negotiated.

Premier service Luton - JFK perhaps !!!

[Max Angle]

I've not heard that one on the rumour mill but it's a goody. Until Bermuda II is sorted out we won't be able to operate anything between LHR and the US and I can't see it being viable from anywhere else. Word on the street is that the first 319 goes on the Leed or Teeside route, not quite as exciting.

[Ringwayman]

The word on the bmi website is that the 1st A319 destination is Brussels.

[ALLMCC]

Slightly off subject but I have recently been told that A321s will not be returning to BHD following their recent withdrawal & that the LHR sectors will in future be operated by a mixture of A320s & 319s when they arrive in the new year - any truth in this?

[Max Angle]

Word (third hand) from our fleet manager is that the A321 will return to BHD once the current ELAC problems have been resolved by Airbus. Can't say I'm too happy about that, A320 seems to suit the runway length better, perhapds the braking action will improve once the runway has been re-surfaced.

[wrenchbender]

Would you please elaborate on the A321 ELAC problems? I wasn't aware of any.

[AIRWAY]

Air Luxor in Portugal has ETOPS certification on one of their A320:ok: Their longest flight on the A320 i think it is 6 hours and abit

Just thought it would be interesting...

[Tom the Tenor]

As far as I know Airbus offer the A319 in three weight versions, the heaviest of which could easily fly from Ireland/Britain to the U.S. east coast.

It would be great! :8

[Heavy]

PrivatAir fly 36 Atlantic crossings a week, up to 9.5 hrs sectors, using A319LR / B737 BBJ mix for LH. All their aircraft & crews are ETOPS.

Now that's some utilisation - almost 500 hrs per month, just under 6000 hrs per annum, week in week out year round. And a FH FC ratio of 9 to 1 !

Great way to build hours with a great operator from what I am told by those who claim to know.